Sign up today for Post Pro Picks, The Post's free, weekly NFL pick 'em game, where you can win great prizes, form groups to play against your friends, see how you fare against our experts or just play for fun. Register at http://washingtonpost.com/pro-picks

Mike Shanahan has little to say on topic of Albert Haynesworth

Redskins Coach Mike Shanahan spoke before 400 people today at a leadership luncheon hosted by the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce at the National Conference Center in Leesburg.

Shanahan took questions from the audience and was asked this question about his plans for defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth: "With all the money we gave Albert Haynesworth, what do you plan on doing with him?"

Shanahan replied: "I really believe this: You're either in or you're out. I don't like to give people any attention that's not with us. As far as I'm concerned if you want to talk about the people that work every day, that do the little things the right way, I'll talk forever. I'm not going to talk about people that aren't with us."

Cork Galea was not approved to provide that type of treatment in the U.S. He and his personal assistant are accused of smuggling these drugs into the U.S. since he is not authorized to even have them in his possession. In fact it goes even further since he sent his assistant to Germany to retrieve the drugs.

On to Moss Player A = presumably Moss has already cooperated with federal authorities admitting to receiving treatments from Galea. It is said to be at least 50 treatments over 2 years for a total of over $50,000.

Posted by: dlhaze1 | May 20, 2010 3:38 PM | Report abuse
__________
With all due respect, don't try and be a "street corner lawyer". Defense of complex federal felony charges can be very complicated and requires a well-thought out strategy. You can't compare that to a joe-average state misdemeanor pot bust. Galea's lawyer didn't say anything out of the ordinary or that didn't make sense given the circumstances.
Posted by: skinsfan713 | May 20, 2010 4:02 PM

I realize that it’s complicated, etc….Here’s the quote:
Mark J. Mahoney is one of Galea's attorneys and he told the News that his client didn't administer anything to improve any athletes' performance; Galea was merely trying to help them heal from injuries.
"Officials of the NFL and other sports organizations can sleep soundly tonight, because there is nothing he did with these athletes to help them with performance enhancement," Mahoney told the News. "[Galea] strictly provided treatment for injuries. If any athlete got [human growth hormone], it was injected directly into injured tissue, in very small amounts, for purposes of healing."

He’s just giving excuses as to WHY they broke the rules/law. Excuses don’t get you a pass when you break the law (Galea) and the Rules (the players). That’s why I am using my getting busted for weed analogy. Explaining that you knowingly broke the law, but with non-malicious intent does not give you a get out of jail free card, or a pass from Goodell.
And Galea is being charged with trafficking (smuggling) and distributing….Moss won’t be charged with anything (to my knowledge) except for breaking NFL rules. My “analogy” applies to both Moss and Galea….

p1funk HGH is listed among the banned substances in the NFL look it up bro

Posted by: TimmySmith36 | May 20, 2010 3:03 PM | Report abuse

Thanks, bro.

You are missing entirely the point.

The NFL and the USA are 2 separate entities that operate on 2 different sets of rules and regulations.

I said that I don't think HGH is banned IN THE USA. I know it is a banned substance in the NFL.

Your point about Goodell acting unilaterally to immediately punish Moss is incorrect because Goodell only has that authority under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The policy that regulates NFL's use of banned substances is different from the personal conduct policy.

Are you following me here?

For instance - Brian Cushing tested positive last September, but won't face suspension until this year b/c he appealed under the PED polocy. Why didn't Goodell immediately suspend him? Why aren't the Williamses in Minnesota being immediately suspended?? They've been fighting their PED charge/appeal for a year or so.

So, the doctor seems to have done something illegal in transporting and/or administering certain drugs. BUT because HGH is legal to use in the USA, Moss is not breaking any laws (laws are the things created by the USA, not the NFL) by using it - though he'd be violating the NFL's policy for PEDs.

You've YET to acknowledge that sitting FDavis was his deal, and it turned out to be galactically stupid on his part...he was in charge of FDavis, and refused to use him....

He was also in charge of MKelly, who for some reason got send on GO-ROUTES, instead of the 2 faster receivers, SM/DT...

Posted by: BeantownGreg1 | May 20, 2010 4:37 PM

Acknowledged it's his deal, but I wouldn't assume it was "galactically stupid". Your argument on this issue amounts to nitpicking. I could make an equally hypotheical arguement that sitting Davis for awhile gave him the time he needed to develop and mature, as opposed to throwing him out there right away. Who knows?

p1funk I see your point of course I just dont see why Goodell would have to wait for any sort of outcome in the court proceeding to take action against Moss? If Moss is identified as the player from Washington and he has already admitted to using HGH what more is there? It is like when Rodney Harrison admitted to using HGH he was suspended immediately.

I said that I don't think HGH is banned IN THE USA. I know it is a banned substance in the NFL.

Your point about Goodell acting unilaterally to immediately punish Moss is incorrect because Goodell only has that authority under the NFL's Personal Conduct Policy. The policy that regulates NFL's use of banned substances is different from the personal conduct policy.

Are you following me here?

For instance - Brian Cushing tested positive last September, but won't face suspension until this year b/c he appealed under the PED polocy. Why didn't Goodell immediately suspend him? Why aren't the Williamses in Minnesota being immediately suspended?? They've been fighting their PED charge/appeal for a year or so.

So, the doctor seems to have done something illegal in transporting and/or administering certain drugs. BUT because HGH is legal to use in the USA, Moss is not breaking any laws (laws are the things created by the USA, not the NFL) by using it - though he'd be violating the NFL's policy for PEDs.

Catch the drift?

Posted by: p1funk | May 20, 2010 4:43 PM | Report abuse

So to answer my own post and follow up on my own question:

Apparently, HGH is illegal to use unless you have a doctor's prescription.

So...did Moss do something illegal?

Here's where the issue will get gray and mettlesome - if it is him, he's going to argue that he did not "knowingly" take it (isn't that what the report says?) a-la BArry Bonds. He was just following "doctor's" orders.

I realize that it’s complicated, etc….Here’s the quote:
Mark J. Mahoney is one of Galea's attorneys and he told the News that his client didn't administer anything to improve any athletes' performance; Galea was merely trying to help them heal from injuries.
"Officials of the NFL and other sports organizations can sleep soundly tonight, because there is nothing he did with these athletes to help them with performance enhancement," Mahoney told the News. "[Galea] strictly provided treatment for injuries. If any athlete got [human growth hormone], it was injected directly into injured tissue, in very small amounts, for purposes of healing."

He’s just giving excuses as to WHY they broke the rules/law. Excuses don’t get you a pass when you break the law (Galea) and the Rules (the players). That’s why I am using my getting busted for weed analogy. Explaining that you knowingly broke the law, but with non-malicious intent does not give you a get out of jail free card, or a pass from Goodell.
And Galea is being charged with trafficking (smuggling) and distributing….Moss won’t be charged with anything (to my knowledge) except for breaking NFL rules. My “analogy” applies to both Moss and Galea….
________

I understand your point. I think this is just defense lawyer blather. It seems to me like he's setting up a defense of that whatever treatments occurred were within the legal practice of medicine and not for other reasons, which could be outside the bounds of what a medical license allows (although Galea was apparently only licensed in Canada).

1. yes, if it is prescribed for other than treatment of a disease or other recognized med cond'n
2. Apparently the feds already have a statement from Moss but I don't know if it hurts the doctor on the illegal distribution charge. The law allows a physician to prescribe it so long as its for treatment. The statute doesn't say "U.S. licensed physician." Plus, I believe Moss has said that he didn't know the Dr. was giving him HGH and that he avoided using banned substances. So Moss's story is I was getting med treatment and didn't know it was HGH or actovegin.
3. You force someone to appear in court to testify by issuing him/her a subpoena. Immunity avoids them pleading the 5th when they do.
4. Not talking/testifying in this situation would not be in Moss's interest. He could be charged as a conspirator. This was discovered because someone got caught bringing the drugs in the US and that person told on the doctor and the football players.

Anyone know Moss's contract for 2010 and beyond? He may want to do everything he can to get any actions against him pushed into 2011. As we've seen before, the wheels of justice don't always move quickly.

sf713, it's kind of comforting that the RI blog commenting community is 'lawyered up".

In the same way that we can count on getting informed opinions on accounting, international finance, library/museum technology, popular and unpopular music, nucular weapon handling, porn stars, and beer.

Here is my take on Haynesworth he embodies what is wrong with sports today. I dont care if he is the best at his position or not I like Shanahans approach thus far. I say don't bend one bit have Albert play nose every single down if he wont play nose he doesnt play. The Redskins have him under contract if he wont play the position they want he wont play at all

1. yes, if it is prescribed for other than treatment of a disease or other recognized med cond'n
2. Apparently the feds already have a statement from Moss but I don't know if it hurts the doctor on the illegal distribution charge. The law allows a physician to prescribe it so long as its for treatment. The statute doesn't say "U.S. licensed physician." Plus, I believe Moss has said that he didn't know the Dr. was giving him HGH and that he avoided using banned substances. So Moss's story is I was getting med treatment and didn't know it was HGH or actovegin.
3. You force someone to appear in court to testify by issuing him/her a subpoena. Immunity avoids them pleading the 5th when they do.
4. Not talking/testifying in this situation would not be in Moss's interest. He could be charged as a conspirator. This was discovered because someone got caught bringing the drugs in the US and that person told on the doctor and the football players.

Posted by: learnedhand1

Thanks for the update and analysis. So it looks like all Santana is looking at is a league suspension. Of course at this point in his career, and with no ties to him, Shanahan may let him be someone else's problem.

Now I wonder if Coach Mike had an inkling of this when he signed Galloway and Wade.

The lesson, it appears, is that Vinny and Danny have never understood the critical aspect of "character" on a team. It doesn't take many Haynesworth's or guys who can't learn the playbook, or guys who hide behind the owner's skirt while they throw their fullback under the bus to hurt a team.

Shanahan and Allen have to get back to quality people on the team. Because if Shanahan fails, following St Joe, the only thing that can save the franchise is a sale.

The Redskins organization is feeling some heat, and Shanahan's comments are reflective of that..A play for a decent wide receiver should be in order, but it doesn't necessarily have to include Haynesworth..Let's how it looks first day of mandatory practice..

The Redskins organization is feeling some heat, and Shanahan's comments are reflective of that..A play for a decent wide receiver should be in order, but it doesn't necessarily have to include Haynesworth..Let's how it looks first day of mandatory practice..

Posted by: frak | May 20, 2010 6:21 PM
-----------------------------------------
In retrospect, it probably wasn't the brightest idea in the world to have Bill Romanowski visit the front office a few months ago.

As far as the Haynesworth situation, I think Shanahan and crew are playing it the right way. In theory, they could hold on to him for the whole season and not let him play a down. That would hurt the big guy's ego, but wouldn't make good financial sense for the Redskins. The fitting punishment for Haynesworth would be to hang on to him and make him play in a 3-4 - exclusively, and at nose tackle. If his performance is subpar then he rides the pine and we are back to the first scenario. A trade would be best for all concerned but Shanny really has wood for the guy now. It is personal.

Albert Haynesworth may be benched for the entire season. That's the ultimate punishment within Shanahan's power. It is true one tree doesn't make a forest; however this tree is our defense's Mahogany. While I understand Shanahan's frustrations, believe it or not, Albert have a point. My postulation on this is quite simple, A.Haynesworth contract contains performance incentives, how can he achieve any if all he does is occupy space. For the Skins to acquire Haynesworth, promises were made to him beyond $100M. He was supposed to be an impact player that he was in Tennessee in a 4/3, he was supposed to have hall of fame numbers rushing the QB and wrecking havoc, all of sudden, all that changed with a new sheriff in town, now he has a 3/4 scheme to learn, a new scheme he never played in, oh! Lest I forget, all incentives and hope of pro-bowls and hall of fame aspirations is down the toilet. This, I assume, is in Albert's thinking, now the question is, doesn't the Skins as an organization have any blame in this?

"Per the source, the Redskins converted his base salary of $3.7 million in 2009 and $4.3 million in 2010 into a signing bonus, less salaries of $745,000 this year and $968,500 next year.

The difference is a guaranteed payment of $6.28 million.

The new deal adds three additional seasons beyond 2010, at base salaries of $1.192 million in 2011, $1.4155 million in 2012, and $1.639 million in 2013. But we’re told that the three new years automatically void at the end of the 2010 season.

So why were the new years added? To allow the guaranteed payment to be spread over five years.

As a result, the total cap savings was $1.7477 million. And the Jansen cap charge was $1.726 million.

There also was a benefit for Moss; he received all of his 2009 pay and most of his 2010 compensation now."

******************
In effect, Moss gets $8million for '09 and '10 -- on average, $250k per game. So would a 4 game suspension cost Moss $1million?

I don't think so.

From what I read, the contract was 80% front loaded. In 2010, the salary for 4 games for Moss is a bit under $250k. If I'm Santana, I take the salary hit in 2010.

Chia, I responded to that on a previous thread... the lodgings weren't my choice, I'm going in a group.

You've mentioned it a couple of times. So... is there something I should know about the Luxor? Better you tell me know so I can prepare emotionally than have me find out when I get there and get all mad at you. Such as.

They can be blamed for the contract but not in misleading AH. He has been compensated rather handsomely for his career average of 2.5 tackles per game and 5 sacks per season. They want him here and he’s not. Reports (Shefter) say that he hasn’t even talked to Shanny or Haslett about his role in the D.

Sort of. I think Moss, like most players, won't quit until he's told he's got no job. With most (not all) pro athletes, their retirement paycheck is a lot smaller. Would someone pay a 32 year old Moss $1-2 million? Good chance. Look at David Patten -- never the player Moss was. He played through age 34.

Nate, I can't tell you a darn thing about Las Vegas, except they have slot machines in the airport. I've changed planes there a few times. Once of those changes came when I finished a 2 week Grand Canyon raft trip. We took a puddle hopper from a small airstrip just outside the canyon that took us to McCarron. Quite a culture change to go from such splendid beauty/quiet to that airport.

My first Vegas trip ever, so I'm up for good times, whatever they may bring. My brother's getting married, and they decided to have a fun getaway wedding in Vegas, hence this trip... and I plan to make the most of it.

I am sure Big Bert wants to win and not go down as a elite NFL bust... I bet Bert will come into town in shape and ready to play. In addition, that will shut down all the negative speculation and will open a doorway into a winning perspective.

My first Vegas trip ever, so I'm up for good times, whatever they may bring. My brother's getting married, and they decided to have a fun getaway wedding in Vegas, hence this trip... and I plan to make the most of it.

"i'm not going to talk about people that aren't with us." is standard coach-speak.

"i really believe this: you're either in or you're out" takes it up another notch.

haynesworth needs to opt in soon. ultimately, it's not about him v. shanahan. it's about his teammates that he is letting down. his teammates who are busting their butts in their "free time" because 4-12 doesn't sit well with them. haynesworth needs to be a part of that.

Hainsworth has his money in the bank and the workout's are supposidly "voluntary". Everyone knew that Albert with all his talent was a slacker who took plays off because he has never been in top condition.

If it wasn't a new system and Hainsworth could be depended on coming in to training camp in top condition this wouldn't be an issue.

I say cut him now! He is not good enough to outweigh the distraction he will cause by being a fat crybaby!